Scottish Executive

Ambulance Service

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Scottish Ambulance Service’s joint working party looking at 11 on-call working arrangements.

Susan Deacon: I understand that the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Joint Working Party has made progress in reducing the amount of on-call working in many parts of Scotland. The Ambulance Service is fully aware, however, that wherever revised methods of working are introduced, including in rural areas, they must ensure that services to patients are maintained.

Common Good Funds

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities on the operation of common good funds.

Peter Peacock: The purposes for which and the manner in which local authorities can deploy the common good are set out in statute. The common good is regarded as a fund of the local authority and comes within the scope of the financial provisions in Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, including section 94 (consent to meet capital expenses). The conditions that apply to the consent issued to local authorities under section 94 include advice on the treatment of capital payments financed from the common good.

Common Good Funds

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each common good fund which currently exists specifying how much funding was distributed by each fund in 2000-01, broken down by local authority.

Peter Peacock: The information requested is not held centrally.

Education

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14098 by Nicol Stephen on 15 May 2001, what terms and conditions apply in relation to the Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme and how these compare to the terms and conditions of similar schemes in England and Wales.

Nicol Stephen: Under the Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme all GTC registered teachers in publicly funded primary and secondary schools, including publicly funded special schools and units, are eligible to apply for a rebate of £200 against the cost of a modern computer.

  The computer must match or exceed a technical specification drawn up by Learning and Teaching Scotland, who administer the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The specification is reviewed before each new phase of the scheme.

  The payment is a taxable benefit, but the Scottish Executive has made arrangements to settle the tax and National Insurance centrally. No liability falls on the individual teachers.

  The English scheme is currently restricted to the priority group of teachers of mathematics at Key Stage 3 as a necessary way of managing demand following high demand in the first phase. The English scheme has offered teachers 50% of the cost of a computer, up to a maximum subsidy of £500. Income tax and National Insurance liabilities have been met centrally, with no further liability on the teacher. Teachers must have undertaken, or have stated they are committed to take, the New Opportunities Fund ICT training programme. Further information about the English scheme can be found at:

  http://cft.ngfl.gov.uk/user/index.html

  No comparable scheme currently operates in Wales. The National Assembly for Wales has opted for a different means of increasing access to ICT in schools and in support of lifelong learning by establishing School Learning Centres and ICT Learning Centres in community venues. Full details were set out in the Prospectus ICT for Learning which is available on:

  http://www.wales.gov.uk/

Environment

Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to ensure that any potentially environmentally damaging material contained on the two United States Air Force jets which crashed in the Cairngorms recently is removed from the crash site.

Rhona Brankin: I understand that the Royal Air Force (RAF) has produced a written recovery plan for the crash sites in consultation with a working group comprising of the two landowners involved, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), the USAF, the RAF and the two environmental agencies, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The principal aim of the plan is to ensure the removal of all debris before the snow cover melts and exposes sensitive vegetation and soils. I understand that approximately 10 tonnes of the 25 tonnes of debris have already been removed from the sites.

  The status of the aviation fuel and oil contaminants, which are being held in the snow, is being monitored, and the RAF has contracted a specialist environmental clean-up company to assist it with the clean-up of hydrocarbons from the site. Aviation fuel is volatile and it is expected that most will evaporate, minimising the risk to soil, vegetation and watercourses. Monitoring shows that fuel is currently not moving within the snow. However, should this occur, there is a contingency plan to remove contaminated snow for treatment and disposal. Snow contaminated with the heavier oils is being removed for appropriate treatment and disposal.

  I also understand that SEPA has collected and carried out analysis of water and invertebrate samples from streams draining the area since the crash and have found no signs of pollution. SEPA will continue to monitor the area. As part of the recovery plan, a long-term monitoring programme will be put in place to determine whether there are any long-term environmental impacts at the crash sites.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14961 by Ross Finnie on 16 May 2001, what research into genetically modified fish it or the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department directly or indirectly funded; what the purpose, length and cost of any such research was, and which institution undertook it.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such research.

Health

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS Direct service is not available in Scotland approximately two years after it was established in England.

Susan Deacon: NHS 24, the Scottish equivalent to the NHS Direct service in England, will provide the people of Scotland with nurse-led advice, guidance, referral and information on healthcare services in one phone call.

  To ensure that this service is as integrated as possible with existing NHS services in Scotland, the Scottish Executive Health Department has carried out an extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including GP out-of-hours services, accident and emergency departments, the Scottish Ambulance Service and patient representatives. This process was designed to ensure NHS 24 meets the particular needs and circumstances of the Scottish public and NHS Scotland.

  The establishment of NHS 24 as a national service, requires detailed planning and design in order to address many complex issues. A detailed blueprint and implementation plan is currently being developed.

Health

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence exists to show that a centralised NHS 24 doctor on-call system delivers a better service to patients than the current local provision.

Susan Deacon: NHS 24 is not a doctor on-call system.

  NHS 24 service will deliver high quality nurse consultation and assessment by telephone. As a new patient-centred service, NHS 24 will complement existing local services, allowing better access and a consistent standard of service to be available to all the people of Scotland. Where agreed locally, NHS 24 will design its service to complement existing local services and provide patients with a single integrated service.

Health

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHS 24 service will provide better value for money than the present system and, if so, on what figures this assertion is based.

Susan Deacon: NHS 24 will provide a consistent, quality assured nurse consultation and assessment service across Scotland. This is a new service, which will complement existing local NHS services and is not a replacement for any existing service.

  NHS 24 will improve access for the public and, as the service develops, alleviate pressures on existing services. It will support and improve the patient journey by ensuring prompt access to appropriate care and treatment, adding value to local NHS services across Scotland.

  An independent evaluation of the service and its contribution and impact on other services is being commissioned.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to publicise the health benefits of drinking milk in relation to the provision of essential nutrients and the prevention of osteoporosis.

Susan Deacon: Milk, particularly skimmed and semi-skimmed milk, is promoted as making an important contribution as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Hepatitis

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion during routine NHS surgery.

Susan Deacon: The number of cases of infection with hepatitis C where the suspected risk factor of blood transfusion or tissue transfer reported to the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) and shown in the figures published at the beginning of May is 206. The figure does not relate purely to those who may have been infected during routine surgery and may also include people who have been infected outwith Scotland.

Hospitals

Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13520 by Susan Deacon on 12 March 2001, how many hospital wards are (a) mixed sex and (b) single sex, in each health board area.

Susan Deacon: One third of NHS bodies have achieved full compliance with guidance on single sex accommodation and the remainder have plans to do so. As compliant wards can contain separate accommodation for both sexes, the information requested is not available.

Hospitals

Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3323 by Susan Deacon on 18 January 2000, how much of the £4.2 million made available for ending mixed sex hospital wards has been spent in each health board to date.

Susan Deacon: Allocations totalling £4,787,880 have been made to NHS Trusts, the State Hospital and Island health boards to eliminate mixed sex hospital wards. This sum includes almost £600,000 from the NHSScotland capital pool in addition to the £4.2 million previously announced. As at 31 March 2001, £2.525 million of the total funding had been utilised. The remaining £2.263 million will be invested this financial year. The allocations and phasing by health board are detailed in the table:

  


Health Board 
  

2000-01 
  

2001-02 
  

Total 
  



£000 
  



Argyll & Clyde 
  

194.00 
  

600.00 
  

794.00 
  



Ayrshire & Arran 
  

24.80 
  

 


24.80 
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

60.00 
  

 


60.00 
  



Fife 
  

161.00 
  

242.00 
  

403.00 
  



Forth Valley Acute 
  

65.00 
  

 


65.00 
  



Grampian 
  

569.00 
  

465.00 
  

1,034.00 
  



Greater Glasgow PCT 
  

509.98 
  

376.00 
  

885.98 
  



Highland 
  

40.00 
  

 


40.00 
  



Lanarkshire 
  

120.00 
  

 


120.00 
  



Lomond & Argyll PCT 
  

66.00 
  

15.00 
  

81.00 
  



Lothian 
  

0.00 
  

290.00 
  

290.00 
  



Orkney HB 
  

129.80 
  

 


129.80 
  



State Hospital 
  

100.00 
  

 


100.00 
  



Tayside PCT 
  

360.00 
  

275.00 
  

635.00 
  



Western Isles HB 
  

125.30 
  

 


125.30 
  



Total 
  

2,524.88 
  

2,263.00 
  

4,787.88

Hospitals

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13550 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated 69,000 cases of hospital-acquired infections by health board area and when it expects the sub-group of its Health Department’s Advisory Group on Infection to make recommendations on the planned national surveillance system.

Susan Deacon: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15454 on 14 May 2001. No disaggregation by health board area is available. The report of the sub-group of the Health Department’s Advisory Group on Infection has been received and is being considered urgently.

Hospitals

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13554 by Susan Deacon on 17 April 2001, when its Health Department/NHS working group on standards of hospital cleanliness will report; who will enforce the agreed standards, and how enforcement will be undertaken.

Susan Deacon: The joint Scottish Executive Health Department/NHS working group’s report has been received and is being actively considered. The draft standards prepared have already been passed to the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) for review and further work. The process of checking and reporting on compliance with the standards once established will be taken forward by CSBS alongside their ongoing work programme in relation to clinical standards in general.

Hospitals

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether sufficient staff training and resources are in place to reverse the increase in methicillin resistant S taphylococcus aureus infections since 1997 as identified in the weekly report (16 of 2001) published by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health.

Susan Deacon: Tackling methicillin resistant S taphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other kinds of healthcare-related infections, is an important task for the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Executive has produced comprehensive guidance in support of the NHS. A joint Health Department/NHS working group has very recently prepared further guidance and standards on hospital-acquired infection which will help combat MRSA. Responsibility for ensuring that adequate resources are applied to these tasks is primarily a matter for NHS Trusts, who are fully aware of the importance we attach to effective action. In taking action, Trusts will be able to draw on the increased funding of more than £400 million a year over the next three years which the Scottish Executive is making available to the NHS.

Lip-Reading

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 January 2001, what funding for the training of lip-reading tutors has been and will be made available under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and by any other means, in the current financial year and in any future years.

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive awarded a pump-priming grant of £20,000 to the Scottish Course to Train Tutors in Lip-reading in December 2000.

  The Scottish Course has applied for a training grant under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and is currently awaiting a response. The arrangements and funding of education and training for social work services are being reviewed within the context of the Regulation of Care Bill.

Lip-Reading

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9539 by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 January 2001, what funding for the support of local lip-reading groups has been and will be made available under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and by any other means, in the current financial year and in any future years, broken down by local authority.

Nicol Stephen: There are no plans for the Scottish Executive to provide funding for the support of local lip-reading groups. The Scottish Executive would normally fund groups at a local level only if they demonstrated either innovative work or work of national importance.

  The Scottish Executive is unable to provide details on funding by local authorities for the support of local lip-reading groups, as this information is not held centrally.

Maternity Services

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many caesarean section operations were performed in each of the last five years.

Susan Deacon: The table shows the total number of maternities that involved caesarean section operations in Scotland between 1995-96 and 1999-2000.

  


Year 
  

Total Number of Maternities involving Caesarean 
  Section Operations 
  



1995-96 
  

9,605 
  



1996-97 
  

9,802 
  



1997-98 
  

10,417 
  



1998-99 
  

10,739 
  



1999-2000P


10,762 
  



  PProvisional

  Notes:

  1. Since 1 April 1997, where four or more babies are involved in a delivery, birth details are recorded only for the first three babies. Prior to this date, birth details were recorded only for the first two babies.

  2. Individual babies within a multiple delivery may have different modes of delivery. A multiple delivery is included as a caesarean maternity if at least one baby is born by caesarean section.

Medical Research

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12857 by Susan Deacon on 26 February 2001, whether it will provide details of the projects on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which received funding from the Chief Scientist Office in 1999-2000 and whether it has received any funding proposals for ME studies.

Susan Deacon: My reply of 26 February to question S1W-12857 referred to funding of £7,000 for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) projects in 1999-2000. I regret to say that this was an error and I have written to Linda Fabiani accordingly. There were no projects on ME that were funded by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in the period 1997-98 to 2000-01 nor has CSO received any recent funding proposals. However, the CSO would be pleased to consider funding innovative ME studies of a sufficiently high standard.

Ministerial Cars

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive where ministerial cars are based overnight.

Angus MacKay: Ministerial cars are housed overnight in secure garages at Elizafield Industrial Estate, Edinburgh and in Meridian Court, Glasgow, unless a particular ministerial journey requires otherwise.

Modern Apprenticeships

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15345 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 23 May 2001, whether it will show the modern apprenticeship pass rate for completers and for those still in training separately for 1999-2000 and 2000-01.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The table provides the information requested.

  Modern Apprenticeship Pass Rate: 1999-2000 and 2000-01

  


LEC area 
  

1999-2000 
  

2000-01 
  



Starts 
  

Completers 
  

In-training 
  

Starts 
  

Completers 
  

In-training 
  



SE Ayrshire 
  

938 
  

12% 
  

51% 
  

1,039 
  

8% 
  

76% 
  



SE Borders 
  

83 
  

1% 
  

82% 
  

125 
  

1% 
  

89% 
  



SE Dumbarton 
  

265 
  

16% 
  

68% 
  

305 
  

2% 
  

84% 
  



SE Dumfries 
  

176 
  

3% 
  

72% 
  

332 
  

1% 
  

84% 
  



SE Edinburgh & Lothians 
  

696 
  

12% 
  

67% 
  

1,073 
  

3% 
  

89% 
  



SE Fife 
  

405 
  

5% 
  

60% 
  

437 
  

11% 
  

83% 
  



SE Forth Valley 
  

465 
  

18% 
  

53% 
  

656 
  

5% 
  

75% 
  



SE Glasgow 
  

1,730 
  

23% 
  

33% 
  

1,732 
  

12% 
  

69% 
  



SE Grampian 
  

464 
  

1% 
  

75% 
  

586 
  

1% 
  

85% 
  



SE Lanarkshire 
  

1,141 
  

20% 
  

51% 
  

1,295 
  

14% 
  

73% 
  



SE Renfrewshire 
  

414 
  

13% 
  

63% 
  

459 
  

7% 
  

82% 
  



SE Tayside 
  

357 
  

2% 
  

68% 
  

653 
  

2% 
  

83% 
  



Argyle & the Islands Enterprise 
  

74 
  

32% 
  

69% 
  

61 
  

0% 
  

87% 
  



Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise 
  

89 
  

12% 
  

79% 
  

65 
  

0% 
  

92% 
  



Inverness & Nairn Enterprise 
  

75 
  

8% 
  

73% 
  

125 
  

2% 
  

85% 
  



Lochaber Limited 
  

20 
  

15% 
  

65% 
  

47 
  

0% 
  

79% 
  



Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey Enterprise 
  

40 
  

25% 
  

45% 
  

39 
  

3% 
  

87% 
  



Orkney Enterprise 
  

30 
  

7% 
  

83% 
  

25 
  

0% 
  

96% 
  



Ross & Cromarty Enterprise 
  

68 
  

19% 
  

63% 
  

65 
  

0% 
  

91% 
  



Shetland Enterprise 
  

58 
  

9% 
  

79% 
  

51 
  

0% 
  

96% 
  



Skyle & Lochalsh Enterprise 
  

17 
  

29% 
  

59% 
  

12 
  

0% 
  

83% 
  



Western Isles Enterprise 
  

35 
  

3% 
  

84% 
  

43 
  

0% 
  

88% 
  



  Note: Those who leave the Modern Apprenticeship programme before final completion often go on to positive outcomes, e.g. FE, other training or employment.

NHS Spending

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure on (a) hospital and community services, (b) mental health services and (c) acute services for resident populations is forecast for 2000-01 and planned for the following three years, in total and broken down by health board area.

Susan Deacon: The table shows the latest forecast outturn expenditure by health board on hospital and community services, mental health services and acute services for 2000-01. These figures will be subject to revision as estimates of health board expenditure in 2000-01 are finalised. Planned expenditure figures for 2001-02 will not be available until the end of May. Estimates of planned expenditure are not collected for more than one year ahead.

  


Forecast Outturn Expenditure 2000-01 (£000)1



 

Hospital and Community Services 
  

Mental Health Services2


Acute Services 
  



Scotland 
  

3,346,275 
  

508,931 
  

1,618,407 
  



Argyll & Clyde 
  

295,552 
  

48,142 
  

139,119 
  



Ayrshire & Arran 
  

241,563 
  

37,679 
  

116,139 
  



Borders 
  

77,406 
  

11,990 
  

38,355 
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

109,623 
  

15,625 
  

50,561 
  



Fife 
  

214,444 
  

27,378 
  

107,972 
  



Forth Valley 
  

174,072 
  

25,760 
  

77,536 
  



Grampian3


302,363 
  

48,488 
  

146,302 
  



Greater Glasgow 
  

639,845 
  

106,472 
  

315,624 
  



Highland 
  

139,456 
  

19,334 
  

65,949 
  



Lanarkshire 
  

355,767 
  

48,068 
  

179,320 
  



Lothian 
  

461,282 
  

65,722 
  

222,517 
  



Orkney 
  

15,637 
  

899 
  

6,341 
  



Shetland 
  

16,822 
  

1,910 
  

8,472 
  



Tayside 
  

275,233 
  

47,878 
  

131,553 
  



Western Isles 
  

27,210 
  

3,586 
  

12,647 
  



  Source: Performance Monitoring Template Returns, Q3 2000-01.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are collected on a Health Board of Residence basis.

  2. Figures include resource transfer.

  3. Figures have been estimated.

Pre-School Education

Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13189 by Nicol Stephen on 20 March 2001, what progress has been made regarding the provision and funding of pre-school placements for children whose fourth birthday falls in January or February and whose parents wish to defer entry to primary school until after the children reach the age of five.

Nicol Stephen: I accept the five key recommendations in the report of the Deferrals Working Group submitted to me in December 2000. COSLA and ADES also support them.

  From August 2001, children who become four in January or February and who, though eligible to start school, have their entry to primary school deferred by their parents will be able to access an additional year of publicly funded pre-school education.

  Local authorities will retain discretion over the provision of additional pre-school education for slightly older children – those born between September to December – whose parents are considering deferral.

  COSLA and ADES will improve information for parents considering deferral. They will also develop guidance for local authorities on the use of their discretion. Such guidance is crucial in assuring parents that decisions on deferrals are both transparent and consistent. Decisions should reflect the needs of individual children after careful assessment and discussion between schools, parents and the local authority about what is best for the child.

  The changes require careful preparation. That is why I support the group’s recommendation that the new arrangements should be implemented as from the 2001-02 academic year. This means the first eligible children (those becoming four in January or February 2002) will begin their deferred year in August 2002.

  There are children who will have reached four in January or February this year and whose parents want to defer entry. Although they will not be covered by the new entitlement, I would expect local authorities to continue to make well-informed decisions for them, in the light of full discussions with schools and parents, based upon their individual needs and taking into consideration the new policy which is being introduced.

Prison Service

Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the report Prison Admission Health Screening as a Measure of Health Needs , published in the Scottish Executive Health Bulletin on 1 March 2001, was first approved for publication by the Scottish Prison Service.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Prison Service was not asked to approve the publication of this report in the Health Bulletin.

Rail Freight

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to encourage manufacturers in the Highlands to use rail for the transportation of goods.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive’s Freight Facilities and Track Access Grant schemes are both targeted at encouraging manufacturers to transfer freight from road to rail which is a central plank of our freight transport policy.

  In the Spending Review 2000 we announced that the Freight Facilities Grant budget would double to £36 million over the next three years. The opportunities to take advantage of these grant schemes are available to industry throughout Scotland, including the Highlands where roads are often particularly unsuited to heavy road freight traffic.

Rail Freight

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether measures are being taken to dissuade British Alcan from switching the transportation of aluminium by rail to road from Lochaber to Coatbridge.

Sarah Boyack: Switching the transportation of aluminium to road was a commercial decision made by Freightliner.

Rail Freight

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact will be on rail-related employment of the decision by Arjo Wiggins paper manufacturers to end its West Highland line rail contract.

Sarah Boyack: I understand that no employees at Fort William have been made redundant as a result of the Arjo Wiggins decision. However, two ground staff and three drivers have been relocated.

Renewable Energy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what European Union funds are available for any aspect of solar energy generation, in particular for the installation of solar energy systems, and how much European funding related to solar energy has been accessed by the Executive in each year since 1997.

Rhona Brankin: ALTENER is the European Union programme promoting the use of renewable energy sources within the EU, and is the only programme devoted entirely to renewable energy. The ALTENER budget for 2001-02 is around 17.5 million euros.

  It is a matter for individual organisations to respond to calls for proposals from this programme.

Renewable Energy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an audit of (a) the utility costs saved by the inhabitants as a result of the properties in Easthall, Easterhouse having solar heating systems installed and (b) the effect on their quality of life.

Jackie Baillie: This is a matter for Glasgow City Council who own the majority of the properties concerned.

Renewable Energy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the Energy Saving Trust (EST); to whom the EST is accountable; what funding the EST receives from what sources, and whether it will outline any policies or guidance developed or issued by the EST.

Rhona Brankin: The Energy Saving Trust’s (EST) remit in Scotland is to promote energy efficiency to the domestic energy user and the very small business market. In Scotland, the Trust delivers UK-wide programmes as well as distinctive Scottish schemes developed by the Executive. One example of the latter is a loan scheme for small businesses to help fund energy saving investment. The Trust offers a wide range of practical guidance to domestic and small business energy consumers. It does not develop policy.

  The Executive’s Scottish Energy Efficiency Office approves and funds the EST’s annual programme of activities in Scotland as well as monitoring its performance. The EST grant from the Scottish Executive in the current financial year is expected to be £2,200,000.

Residential Care

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care or the proposed Scottish Social Services Council will have any power to influence the pay and conditions of staff working in private nursing and residential homes and what impact the creation of these bodies is expected to have on the pay and conditions of such staff.

Malcolm Chisholm: Pay and conditions are matters for employers. Any influence of the Commission or Council would be indirect.

  The Commission will inspect care homes against the National Care Standards and will be able to comment on any matter which affects the quality of care, such as, for example, a rapid turnover of staff.

  Care home managers will be in the first tranche of staff to be registered by the Council and care home staff in the second. Registration will involve some training requirements; and the Council’s code of practice for employers will include responsibilities for training and developing staff. A better trained workforce may be one factor which influences the pay levels considered appropriate.

Residential Care

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake an urgent review of pay and conditions of nursing staff employed in private nursing and residential homes.

Malcolm Chisholm: Nursing homes are privately owned and therefore the pay and conditions of staff are not determined by the Scottish Executive. Residential homes are currently barred from employing nurses.

Sex Offenders

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report of the Expert Panel on Sex Offending.

Mr Jim Wallace: I welcome the Expert Panel’s report, Reducing the Risk: improving the response to sex offending . It is an important contribution to the debate on a subject of public concern. The report will now go out for public consultation, which will inform decisions on taking forward the recommendations of the report. Copies of the report are available in the Parliament’s reference centre (Bib. no. 14000).

Sport

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the application by the Camanachd Association for additional funding for shinty.

Allan Wilson: Following its unsuccessful application for an increase in the level of Development Grant Aid made available to shinty, the Camanachd Association (CA) accepted an offer from   sportscotland to fund an independent review. The aim of the review is to provide the basis for the long-term success of the sport and the viability of the association itself. Consultants Genesis were invited to conduct the Governing Body Development Audit with the CA. The purpose of this audit is to allow the governing body the opportunity to assess the current position of the organisation in key policy areas. It also allows the governing body to check whether it is keeping pace with the expectations required of a modern, well functioning sporting organisation.

  The Genesis report and analysis is to be submitted by the end of August 2001. A copy of the report will be submitted simultaneously to the CA and sportscotland. The report will be the property of the CA but sportscotland will be required to check that the consultant has fulfilled its brief before making the final payment. A maximum sum of £8,000 has been allocated to complete the CA audit.

Tourism

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional budget will be made available to VisitScotland for marketing in each of the next two financial years.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: The total grant-in-aid budget for VisitScotland for 2002-03 is £22.8 million and for 2003-04 is £23.8 million. The proportion that will be allocated to marketing from these budgets is an operational matter for VisitScotland.

Tourism

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what contacts it has had with the Glasgow Islay Association in relation to the UK in New York event and what action it intends to take to ensure a Gaelic and Scottish presence at this event.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: After the recent experience of Tartan Day I am convinced that Scotland can only gain by continuing to build links with the United States.

  The Glasgow Islay Association has been in touch to ask about possible participation in this festival. We are considering opportunities for increasing Scotland’s Gaelic profile and active cultural involvement in events in New York. We will then be able to determine what we can do to ensure an appropriate Scottish profile within UKinNY.

Water Authorities

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the planned and actual expenditure on water services was in each year since 1990, in both cash and real terms.

Ross Finnie: No information is held centrally on what expenditure had been planned and incurred on water services by regional councils.

  Since 1 April 1996, the three water authorities have been responsible for the delivery of water services.

  Planned expenditure for each of the years since 1 April 1996 has been:

  

 

1996-97 
  

1997-98 
  

1998-99 
  

1999-2000 
  

2000-01 
  


 

£ million 
  


 

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  



WoSWA 
  

196.2 
  

112.5 
  

189.7 
  

128.1 
  

204.1 
  

142.7 
  

227.2 
  

165.6 
  

255.1 
  

187.4 
  



ESWA 
  

134.2 
  

67.7 
  

143.1 
  

84.9 
  

159 
  

131.7 
  

165.4 
  

156.6 
  

178.8 
  

145 
  



NoSWA 
  

98 
  

60 
  

98.1 
  

68 
  

113.2 
  

68 
  

124.7 
  

81 
  

157.9 
  

128 
  



  Outturn expenditure for each of the years since 1 April 1996 has been:

  

 

1996-97 
  

1997-98 
  

1998-99 
  

1999-2000 
  


 

£ million 
  


 

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  

Opex 
  

Capex 
  



WoSWA 
  

180.6 
  

104.8 
  

194.5 
  

129.3 
  

210.2 
  

163.3 
  

229.5 
  

170.0 
  



ESWA 
  

136.9 
  

72.9 
  

147.1 
  

72.1 
  

154.4 
  

108.8 
  

163.2 
  

147.5 
  



NoSWA 
  

99.7 
  

62 
  

100.9 
  

66 
  

108.1 
  

78 
  

119.8 
  

86 
  



  Actual expenditure for 2000-01 is currently being audited. Accounts for each of the water authorities are expected to be laid before Parliament in the summer.

  Further information on the expenditure is set out in each of the water authorities’ published accounts. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament, and pre-devolution, the Westminster Parliament, back to 1996-97 are held in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Bib. numbers are as follows:

  


Water Authorities’ published accounts 
  

Scottish Parliament Information Centre – 
  Bib. numbers 
  



NoSWA 
  

ESWA 
  

WoSWA 
  



1996-97 
  

97515 
  

12833 
  

12836 
  



1997-98 
  

12832 
  

12834 
  

12837 
  



1998-99 
  

4005 
  

12835 
  

4004 
  



1999-2000 
  

8790 
  

7898 
  

7925